Coldharbour Institute was formed in 2015 through a merger between the Coldharbour Sustainable Living Center and the Office of Resource Efficiency.  Butch and Judy Clark donated the 343-acre Coldharbour Ranch to the Coldharbour Institute that same year to serve as a center for education, innovation, and research in regenerative practices. The inspiration for the name "Coldharbour" arose from a farm that the Clarks had lived on in Europe that had been producing food for the community for over 600 years.

“I have several visions for Coldharbour – some very long term and others shorter.
When I was studying at the University of London for a PhD in Environmental Planning,
we lived in a place called Coldharbour Farm that was a part of a large dairy farm.
For perhaps over 600 years this place and its ecosystems have remained virtually intact.
This inspired us to a broad vision for what became our own Coldharbour in Gunnison County.
​This principal vision was to restore and protect the character of this place and its ecosystems.”
– Butch Clark

"We acknowledge that the Gunnison Valley, and the land that we steward and study is part of the traditional homeland of the Weeminuche People. The Ute Mountain Ute people have roamed, cared for, and belonged to these mountains, rivers, valleys, and wetland areas since time immemorial– and are still today caring for this landscape. While we may never right the wrongs of history, we hope that our regenerative mission and practices spark hope within the next generation to strive to live a new and healing way that will shine brightly on the Ute ancestors of this land."